A crash involving two vehicles on U.S. 27 in Frostproof on Thursday, March 9, 2023 resulted in the death of one of the drivers.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, along with Polk County Fire Rescue, were dispatched at about 9:25 a.m., to the crash scene on U.S. 27 just north of U.S. 98 (Fort Meade Road).
Upon arrival of first responders, 51-year-old David L. LeBlanc of Frostproof was found deceased. He was driving a white 2014 Chevrolet Van.
The second driver, a 49-year-old Ivan Inglesias was uninjured. He was driving a white 2016 Freightliner tractor with a trailer.
Based on evidence and interviews at the scene, Traffic Homicide investigators determined that Mr. Inglesias was driving northbound and in the outside lane on U.S. 27. He was driving slowly and preparing to enter the parking lot of a business on east side of the highway.
Mr. LeBlanc was also driving northbound and in the outside lane. It appears he failed to see the Freightliner and struck the rear of the trailer.
A portion of the roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours during the investigation, which remains on-going.
